How many basses does a pro need?

[buldog5151bass]

Imagine how many sessions Lee did with that one bass. Macca's entire Beatles ouput was on two (and for years, he's been back to the Hofner).

You only need one, but everyone like shiny toys.

 

[hennessybass]

I'd say two.
A #1 that you do all your work with. A #2 that is a back up to #1 and maybe offers a slightly different flavor.

If you have work that requires it, then maybe you add a #3... A specialty bass for "that thing."

If you are getting a LOT of studio work, then maybe you want some additional "unique" options - but those are just gravy, because you are mostly just using #1.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Imagine how many sessions Lee did with that one bass. Macca's entire Beatles ouput was on two (and for years, he's been back to the Hofner).

You only need one, but everyone like shiny toys.

Do you mean for his whole career? He used a Hofner and a Ric on just about all his Beetle career except a Jazz on one album. In Wings, he used the Rickenbacker, a Yamaha BB, and a Wal. He probably used the Hofner too.

 

[hennessybass]

... Touring players need at least two, so one can be re-tuned while one is being played and if a string breaks they can be switched out...

I once saw the Meters... in the middle of a song, George Porter Jr. broke a string. He kept playing until he found a spot, stepped to the side of the stage while the band was jamming, changed his string, then got back on stage and finished the song.

 

[LeFunk Machine]

One. I think seeing a pro all the time with that one axe, for me, has a cool factor to it. Although multiple basses will be helpful in live situation incase anything goes wrong.

 

[scuzzy]

This amateur has 20. I'm pretty content.

 

[A9X]

It wasn't until after my late wife passed away twenty-odd years ago that I started buying more basses and bass gear, which I justified through pain.

Exactly the same story here. For all the years we gigged together, I had exactly one bass and either the same Peavey rig or a DI (I also did the PA). Since then I've had well over 150 and own about 2 dozen. Today, the only thing I think I'd do differently is take a backup with me.

 

[selowitch]

I was a one-bass guy until TB made me realize that multiple-bass-ownership was a thing. Now I have about six. Thanks, TB!
Seriously, everybody reaches their own personal homeostasis with this. I like to have at least one in each category: active, passive, four-string, five-string, fretless.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Lee Sklar only needs these 3. They all bring something different to the table.

Nice history behind that parts PBass.

2

Although, most pros have an entire rack, all strung with new strings, every show. Most of them are identical. Some are tuned differently. Most don't get touched.

 

[selowitch]

I typically only play one bass even when playing two 90-minute sets in one evening. I have about six or seven basses. The biggest decision is whether or not to bring a four-string or a five-string. I’m thinking of adding a fretless for variety.

 

[joelns]

When I was a pro (defined as making your living via playing/gigging), I had 1. There were a few times I broke a string and had to make do until a break. I would have liked to have had a backup.

Now I have 3. I'm thinking about 1 more 5'er and selling my 4's. Then I'll have 2 set up the same but with different pickups/preamps, but otherwise the same. That will cover the situations I'm likely to find myself in.

 

[BarfanyShart]

Two sounds about right. One bass for the main thing you do, and another for all the other stuff you do and as a back up for the main one. If you do A LOT of different stuff, then maybe three. Own as many as you want, though, we're free people.

 

[Matt O]

Everyone will find themselves somewhere on the spectrum known as the Jaco<>Entwistle bass number continuum.

 

[juggahnaught]

Anywhere from zero to one.

 

[RocknRollNeverForgets]

I have 2. My main MIA Jazz and an Ibanez for a backup on gigs. Of course, I would have many more - but budget and priorities negate wild spending lol.

 

[Samatza]

I don't know about pros but I like... lots of things!

No really, I don't feel that I need more than three but in over 45 years the instruments have become part of my history and I'm loathe to part with them. Most are no longer in production so if I sold one and changed my mind it would be hard to replace.

 

[SunByrne]

A pro? Probably doesn’t need very many, as noted in other posts.

Most of TB, however (myself included), needs n + 1, where n is the number currently owned.

 

[RocknRollNeverForgets]

I don't know about pros but I like... lots of things!

No really, I don't feel that I need more than three but in over 45 years the instruments have become part of my history and I'm loathe to part with them. Most are no longer in production so if I sold one and changed my mind it would be hard to replace.

Agreed. I have regrets selling my instruments over the years. As an example, I picked up a Les Paul Recording Bass for almost nothing in the 90’s I sold. Many others - Steinberger comes to mind. Regret it to this day. I will never sell another instrument I buy.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Lee Sklar only needs these 3. They all bring something different to the table.

Nice history behind that parts PBass.

He’s got at stack of basses, these are just his main working ones.
But yeah, it depends on you and your gig. There are no rules.

 

[JRA]

i worked full-time with one. i sometimes had two, but only took one to the gig. now i'm retired and i have six working and six or seven more in parts, in a pile(s) waiting to be added to the count.

but no matter how we rationalize stuff around here: you really only need one! having several (or many) is some kind of luxury...and it's nice --- but it's a luxury.

anyone could say which specific ax they'd have to try and save from "the fire" --- and that especially applies to "pros."